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Aug 22, 2019

Lovin' Life 22/8/2019: The Australian Museum.

Master SSG and I were there on that beautiful Sunday afternoon last weekend to say goodbye for now to the Australian Museum.

As a gift to the public on its last weekend on display to the public before closing for a year for a bit of nip and tuck, the museum was offering everyone free entry.

There were the last minute, spur of the moment ones like us who hadn't got tickets who lined up to the left in a shorter but slow-moving line. Those who had logged on for their tickets from home the night before lined up in a queue the snaked halfway around the block that moved pretty briskly, all things considered.

In true Sydney family event style, the mood was buoyant and the staff on hand efficient but kind. Not one person in line complained, everyone listened to and followed the instructions given by staff and all the children trying their hardest to wait patiently were given plenty of leeway as they weaved in and out of the line playing those games they come up with when left with nothing but their imaginations, a crowd and a bit of space.

We were finally ushered in and I gazed around me with a mixture of awe and sadness. Awe because knowing that this would be the last time that I'd be able to visit for a year made me appreciate more deeply the beauty of the museum as well as the quality and range of its collection. There was a little sadness too because I'll miss not being able to visit on a whim. My bus rides into the city won't be the same either because I assume the entire facade of the museum will be under wraps while it gets made over.

I have many happy memories of bringing Master SSG to the Australian Museum over the years. We've visited with friends and on our own, as an adventurous and risk-taking toddler, then as more considered preschooler and now as a practically grown-up Year One boy.

Master SSG took the photo above of one of his favourite exhibits while I found myself lost in my memories as I gave a crawling infant wide berth on the stairs and wished his mother a solid night's sleep on the grounds of the amount of energy her little one was expending through his exploration.

There were memories everywhere I looked, actually. Not just of my own but those of Australians of generations past.

I'd never stopped to notice before just how perfectly the taxidermy and skeletons are maintained at the museum.

No matter how many times I visit, there's always something new for me to discover. From different angles, the glass cabinets offer so many different windows into exhibits beyond what is immediately in front of you.

I remember finding museums boring and colourless as a child but my perspective on them has changed with time.

While most of the colours to be found are on the more muted side of the spectrum, they have a beauty to them that draws you in to look closer to discover the subtleties that are hidden at first glance.

This is part of a display of Christmas Beetles. Their colour and sheen are so beautiful they look like jewelled brooches.

Master SSG was fascinated by this touch screen featuring 100 Australians and their achievements.

It wasn't too long ago that I would have been hovering anxiously waiting for a silent bolt and run or a tantrum just because.... Just look at us now!

The museum will reopen next year bigger and better than it already is. I understand that part of the reason for the renovations is to accommodate a major collection of Egyptian antiquities. I can't wait to see this reinvention of the museum. I'm also grateful for all the memories we already have of this national treasure.

Did you get a chance to visit the Australian Museum over the weekend? Do you have any further news about the renovations?

8 comments:

I've never been there but recall going to galleries etc in Canberra but more recently in Brisbane and I agree... they seemed like staid unappealing places when I was a kid and visitors were supposed to remain in reverence whereas now there are lots of interactive things and the 'culture' of them seems to have changed to engage better with visitors.

I've never been to the Australian Museum in Sydney but I'll put it on my list for a future visit! It looks like a gorgeous old building! It will be so exciting when it reopens. I hope you'll do another post when you visit then to show us. xo #TeamLovinLife